Leeds great-granddad's cancer fundraiser

A proud great-grandfather has organised a dinner dance after breast cancer struck two family members.

Bob Leary, president of the Leeds Association of Master Retail Butchers, has arranged the special night after his daughter Michelle George and a cousin, Michelle Beever, were both diagnosed with the disease.

The event at the Holiday Inn, Garforth, on February 26, for 200 people, has now sold out.

Both women are receiving treatment for their conditions, but both are said to be well at the moment.

Bob, 66, of Garforth, worked as a butcher in Leeds for 40 years with Leary shops in Beeston and Roundhay, but has now retired,

He said: "The dinner dance takes a lot of organising but is well worth it on the night.

"To date, over the last five years, we have raised around 20,000 from various events and hope to top more than 25,000 after the big night.

"Breast cancer now affects one in eight women, and almost everyone knows someone or has a close family member who is suffering or affected by this disease."

Mr Leary added: "We hope to raise more than 5,000 from the night. People are ever so generous and we have a lot of individuals to thank."

Daughter Michelle, 42, of Garforth, has three children and a new grandson Alfie, aged seven months.

She said: "Little Alfie has kept me going and without people like my husband Kevin and best friend Julie Grimbley, I couldn't have made it through the bad times.

"They have been brilliant. You just don't imagine something like this happening to you."

She was diagnosed in 2005 and is still undergoing treatment.

Her husband's cousin Michelle Beever, of Castleford, a mum-of-two, was diagnosed three years ago. She helped to organise a disco at Castleford Rugby Club in October, which raised 1,400 for charity.

All funds from the events will be split between Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Research.

The beef for the dinner has been donated by butcher Jim McLean, from Dalziels of Glasshoughton.

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